KUANTAN: Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail described the courtesy visit by the Singaporean delegation led by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as a meaningful platform for discussions to further strengthen bilateral ties. He said the meeting today provided a valuable platform to strengthen close relations between Pahang and Singapore, while paving the way to explore new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit. Wan Rosdy highlighted that cooperation in areas such as investment, economic development, tourism, education and strategic collaboration would benefit both parties. "Strong ties that have already been established between Pahang and Singapore will continue to be enhanced for shared prosperity, while creating more opportunities for cooperation that will positively impact the people and the state's development," he said in a Facebook post today.

Wan Rosdy was accompanied by State Secretary Datuk Seri Nazri Abu Bakar, State Financial Officer Datuk Fadzilla Salleh, State Legal Adviser Datuk Muhammad Saifuddin Hashim Musaimi, Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Ir Razali Kassim, and Pahang Investment, Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib. The Singaporean delegation included Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social and Family Development Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, member of parliament Joan Pereira, Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia Vanu Gopala Menon, and officials from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Yesterday, Lee, who is on a five-day visit to Pahang and Terengganu until May 8, had an audience with the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, at Istana Abdulaziz here. On May 5, Lee and a 41-member delegation visited the Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre in Lanchang, Temerloh, before touring the iconic murals at Kuantan Art Street and visiting Kuantan 188, Malaysia's second-tallest freestanding tower after the Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Source: NST

TIOMAN: On Pulau Tioman villagers say legends of dragons, pirates and wartime graves remain tied to daily life and the island's identity. In Kampung Mukut, history is not confined to books; it is passed down through conversation and the landscape, shaping how residents understand their home. To outsiders, Tioman may be a tropical getaway. But to locals, the island was formed from a dragon, with its jagged peaks symbolising the creature's horns. Tour guide Mohamad Zaini Abdul Wahab, also known as Amy Rock, said the dragon legend had been passed down through generations.

"They say two dragons came from Tasik Chini and fought. The male dragon was badly wounded and made his way out to sea." Accounts differ on why the dragons clashed, but villagers agree on how the story ends. "He got stuck here and became what we now see as Tioman," Zaini said. The female dragon, according to the tale, is believed to have turned into Pulau Daik, an island with twin peaks resembling Tioman's. In another version, the wounded dragon is said to have sought permission from the Sultan of Pahang before passing through a river, appearing in his dreams to request safe passage. Villagers were told to clear the riverbanks for several days to allow the creature to pass, he said. For Kampung Mukut residents, such stories are more than folklore. They are a way of reading the land, where every ridge and rock is tied to something older than written history.

Beyond the myths, the village also holds reminders of the past. Near Kampung Nipah lie burial sites believed to date back to
the Japanese occupation during World War 2, alongside older graves linked to pirates. "There are two or three Japanese graves there. They used wooden markers, not headstones. Some have wooden crosses," Zaini said. He said villagers discovered the site after finding artefacts while digging in the area. "We knew it was a Japanese burial site when villagers digging in certain areas found items from that time, including clothing and other belongings believed to be from the war. "Until today, the graves are still there."

The site is largely unknown to visitors and is treated with quiet respect. "People know about it, but they don't really talk about it." Long before the Japanese occupation, the waters around Tioman were believed to have hosted pirates. "If you go back even further, there were pirate bases here. This place has seen many eras." Some villagers believe that in the 1900s, sites where pirates kept their treasures were discovered, though what happened to them remains unclear.

Today, these layers of history sit alongside lighter tales, including the Matchmaking Pool, a natural body of water behind village resorts. "It was just an ordinary pool at first. Then one villager met another there and they later married," Zaini said. As similar stories spread, the site gained a reputation. "People started saying, 'If you want to find a partner, go there'." Oral histories trace Kampung Mukut's beginnings to the 1960s, when early settlers lived deeper in the forest before moving towards the coast for trade, migration and safety.

Tourism developed in the 1980s through small homestay-style arrangements. Today, residents say there is growing awareness of the need to preserve traditional knowledge, from reading winds to navigating by the stars. For Zaini, the stories are as important as the scenery. "Every place here has a story." To visitors, Kampung Mukut may appear to be a quiet coastal village at the foot of Gunung Kajang, but beneath its surface lies a layered history carried through memory, myth and oral tradition.

ROMPIN: A Barisan Nasional lawmaker has voiced concern about slowing visitor numbers to Pulau Tioman since the ferry fuel surcharge came into effect on April 20. Tioman assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain urged the Pahang government to step in with solutions to ensure that tourist arrivals to the duty-free island remain unaffected.

"I view the fuel surcharge as an additional cost for travellers, on top of the ticket price ranging between RM55 and RM60 one way. It will be a burden, especially for large families or big groups. "Exemptions from the ferry fuel surcharge to the island would help boost visitor arrivals and encourage more people to travel domestically," he said when contacted today. Johari said there were initially talks earlier this month about imposing a RM16 fuel surcharge on all passengers, including Malaysians, travelling to Pulau Tioman, but the plan did not materialise following objections from various quarters. "Then, the Transport Ministry introduced a targeted nationwide fuel surcharge mechanism. Perhaps the state government could implement measures to absorb the additional cost," he said. Last week, a resort owner on Pulau Tioman said post-monsoon visitor arrivals have been sluggish amid fuel price uncertainty, warning that the timing of the tiered ferry fuel surcharge could disrupt travel plans.

Meanwhile, Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the state government is studying suitable measures to cushion the impact of the fuel surcharge but declined to elaborate further. The Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd have announced their decision not to impose a fuel surcharge on ferry services, despite the government introducing a nationwide fuel surcharge mechanism on April 20.

Source: NST

BENTONG: Residents in Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands are cautiously optimistic that mega developments can boost tourism and economic activity, but concerns about traffic linger. Restaurant operator and Gohtong Jaya resident Desmond Leong, 33, said Genting Highlands was starting to resemble a small city.

"In the last three to five years, we have seen constant growth. We believe the local council is doing a good job of monitoring these projects. "We are not overly worried, as they must follow council guidelines," he told the New Straits Times. Leong, however, called on developers to improve road capacity, saying there were frequent congestions on weekends. "Every weekend, there are traffic jams. If vehicle volume increases, the two-lane roads from Genting Sempah to Gohtong Jaya will be overwhelmed." Sam, a restaurant manager in Gohtong Jaya, said he was not too bothered about the projects. The 23-year-old said initially, there were concerns about increased competition once the projects are completed.

"The upside is that residents and visitors will have more choices. We hope to see an influx of tourists into our restaurant. "Overall, we are fine with the development, but we have to wait and see the results once everything is finished." Business owner Thang Shen Haw, 33, said he hoped the developments will benefit locals. "We have had a slight drop in tourists, but we are optimistic that the projects will include recreational activities to attract visitors. "We aren't sure if more hotels or residences are needed since there are already quite a number here. But we hope these projects will boost the local economy." Restaurant operator and Genting Permai resident Norihan Abdullah, 51, also welcomed the developments. "We get a lot of visitors on public holidays. I think the new developments will bring even more people on weekends." However, she said, developers should consider alternative routes to ease traffic around project sites. Hafisha Husna Asri, 18, a resident and restaurant worker, said safety measures must be strictly enforced, especially for hillside developments. "We are a bit worried about safety because of the sheer scale of development taking place."

She added that the projects could boost Genting Highlands' appeal. "More people coming here will stimulate our economy and provide more activities for visitors." In Cameron Highlands, stakeholders remain largely unperturbed by the development. Tanah Rata resident Hana Nabilah Azman, 36, said there has been a noticeable increase in investors over the past five years. "It has become a trend among visitors, particularly those from outside Pahang, who grow fond of the weather and surroundings and eventually decide to invest. "They buy vacation homes, and some choose to settle here after retirement. "Demand for such units has prompted developers to introduce mixed-development projects, including high-end offerings," she said. "Having grown up here, I have witnessed these changes firsthand." Hana said tourism-driven developments have impacted locals during peak periods. "Not only are tourist spots crowded, but apartment units are also filled with visitors, leading to parking issues. "Residents who bought these units often find the situation uncomfortable." Cameron Highlands Golf and Villa Residents' Association president P. Seluam said development along main roads has worsened congestion.

"A better approach would be to locate projects at least 5km away from the main roads. This could ease traffic and reduce bottlenecks, especially during peak tourist seasons. "Traffic could then be dispersed across multiple access points instead of being channelled into a single congested route, which is often worsened by tourist stopovers. "Creating alternative routes and diversions would improve overall connectivity." He said weekend and holiday congestion can stretch up to 30km from Tanah Rata towards Blue Valley and Simpang Pulai, turning a 45-minute journey into a four-hour ordeal. Tanah Rata travel agent B. Ravisankar said many new apartments are being purchased as investments. "This trend is performing well due to strong demand. Local investors are playing a major role in buying properties, as the steady influx of domestic tourists continues to support occupancy rates," he said. Ravisankar added that Tanah Rata and Brinchang need better infrastructure, including parking and public transport, as these areas develop and their populations grow.

Source: NST